``He's a perfect example of the immigration dilemma we face,'' said Norko, a Superior Court judge. ``He's productive. Yet, he's here illegally. I don't know what to do with him.''

Norko quickly decided. He released Veliz on a promise to return to court Sept. 6. He also ordered Veliz, who has another place to stay, to have no contact with his girlfriend, Isabel Quintana.

Veliz was charged with third-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor after the incident late Wednesday, East Hartford police said.

According to the police report, officers were called to the home at 406 Burnside Ave. They found Quintana holding a towel to her head, which was bleeding, police said. When a Spanish-speaking officer arrived to interview Quintana, the report states, Quintana said she and Veliz had argued over his drinking and driving with the children in the car. Quintana said he threw her onto the floor of the front porch, causing her to fall onto their 2-year-old son. The boy was not injured, police said.

Quintana said Veliz punched her in the face several times, after which she ran to the second floor and held the door shut, the report states. In an attempt to get to her, Quintana told police, Veliz punched his hand through the glass, cutting himself.

He later admitted that he argued with Quintana, but denied punching her, police said.